Breda's Wortels self-harvest garden secures permanent home in Markdal
Residents of Breda can continue enjoying fresh, locally grown produce as Wortels, a popular self-harvest garden, moves to a new sustainable location in the Markdal. The initiative strengthens biodiversity and community engagement in the region.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| New Location | Koekelberg, Ulvenhout (near Breda) |
| Land Size | 2.5 hectares |
| Permit Status | Spatial planning permit granted |
| Land Transfer Date | 23 February 2026 |
| Previous Location | Sulkerpad, Markdal |
| Initiative Focus | Circular agriculture, biodiversity, community participation |
| Collaborating Parties | Municipality of Breda, Brabantse Delta Water Board, Wortels in Breda |
The municipality of Breda plays a key role in spatial planning and nature development, ensuring initiatives like Wortels align with broader environmental and community goals. The Brabantse Delta Water Board manages land and water resources, facilitating sustainable projects in the Markdal area.
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Important step towards a new future for Wortels in Breda in the Markdal
Self-harvest garden Wortels in Breda is taking an important step towards a new location in the Markdal. Space has been found for a sustainable continuation of the initiative on land near Koekelberg in Ulvenhout. A spatial planning permit has been granted for the development.
Councillor Peter Bakker (Nature Development): “The Markdal is an area where we are working on nature, water and landscape. It is wonderful that a place has been found here for a unique initiative that connects people with their surroundings. Wortels in Breda fits within nature development and also provides an opportunity for people to participate in a form of circular agriculture that focuses on increasing biodiversity. This makes it another asset for what we want Breda National Park City to be!”
Wortels in Breda fits within nature development and also provides an opportunity for people to participate in a form of circular agriculture that focuses on increasing biodiversity.
Councillor Eddie Förster (Spatial Planning and Urban Development): “This shows what is possible when parties work together and continue to look for solutions. Within the spatial frameworks of the Markdal, we hope to have found a future-proof location here, strengthening both the landscape and a valuable initiative.”
This shows what is possible when parties work together and continue to look for solutions.
Wortels in Breda has been temporarily located on land near Sulkerpad in the Markdal over the past few years. This location was part of a broader area development in which nature restoration, improving water quality and landscape development were central. In this context, a solution has been sought that does justice to both the nature objectives and the strong public support for the self-harvest garden.
The new location near Koekelberg has become possible thanks to collaboration between the municipality, the Brabantse Delta Water Board and other involved parties. In the spring of 2025, the water board acquired a total of 13 hectares of land in the Markdal. Part of this, 2.5 hectares, fell outside the Brabant Nature Network and was not part of the Markdal redevelopment plans. Since last spring, this land has been leased pending the permits required for Wortels, including those from the municipality of Breda. Now that the necessary permits have been granted, the water board officially transferred the land to Wortels in Breda on 23 February. This marks an important step towards establishing Wortels at Koekelberg.
Karin van den Berg, member of the daily board of the Brabantse Delta Water Board: “I am pleased that by acquiring land for the redevelopment of this beautiful Markdal, we can simultaneously contribute to this self-harvest garden initiative. It enhances the experience of this lovely stream valley.”
Initiator Veerle Bruning: “After an intensive period of campaigning to save the field near Sulkerpad, searching for new land and working to obtain the permits, Wortels in Breda can now continue to grow, harvest and share healthy food together. It feels great that there is now clarity. This location near Koekelberg is beautiful and gives us the opportunity to look ahead again. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed ideas and helped make this possible.”